Why Mongolia photographs well
The sky is bigger than you remember. The air is usually cloudless. The light travels at low angles for hours. Subjects are rare but when they appear they are unrepeatable. A horseman on a ridge, an eagle taking off, children on a camel. Mongolia photography is patience and reflex.
1. Khongoryn Els, Gobi Desert
The Singing Dunes rise 300 metres from a golden floor. Go at dawn or dusk for shadow sculpture. Camel caravans pass at both hours if arranged.
2. Khuvsgul Lake at sunrise
Mongolia's Blue Pearl lake mirrors the Saridag peaks. Go in June before tourist season or October when the mountains are first-snowed.
3. Orkhon Waterfall
A 20-metre cascade into a basalt gorge. In late July the surrounding steppe is green, which is rare for Mongolia.
4. Altai Tavan Bogd glaciers
The Potanin Glacier, seven kilometres long. Hike to base camp for alpine glow at dawn.
5. Naadam Festival, July 11-13
Three Games: wrestling, archery, horse racing. The countryside naadams (not Ulaanbaatar) give authentic faces and unblocked angles.
6. Golden Eagle Festival, early October
Bayan-Olgii, 130 hunters, 260 eagles, wind, dust, fur. Telephoto mandatory.
7. Amarbayasgalant Monastery
Mongolia's second-largest monastery, set between two mountains. Shoot the main temple at golden hour from the ridge.
8. Tsagaan Suvarga White Stupa cliffs
A 60-metre striped cliff face in south Gobi. Pink, purple, white, cream layers glow at sunset.
9. Reindeer herders of Tsaatan taiga
East taiga near Lake Khuvsgul, spring. Fragile permit system, we handle arrangements.
10. Horseman silhouettes on the steppe
Any eastern Mongolia horizon at sunset. Wait for your moment.
11. Yolyn Am ice canyon, June
The ice survives into summer. Strong contrast shot from above.
12. Tsagaan Sar, Lunar New Year
Late January/early February. Inside the family ger, blue khadag, buuz dumplings, ritual greetings.
13. Eternal Blue Sky Marathon, September 2029
Runners across the steppe, empty sky, long horizon. We hold press access as the owning operator.
14. Erdene Zuu walls, Kharkhorin
108 stupas on a perimeter wall, 16th century. Shoot from the corner for full symmetry.
15. Throat singing recording session at Otugi Camp
Our audio-visual studio at Otugi in the Orkhon Valley. Behind-the-scenes with master Khoomei singers.
